The best MTB trails around Vélez-Málaga

Via Verde

A pleasant and lively village with approximately 5,000 inhabitants. There are many social activities throughout the year and countless restaurants and terraces.

Cómpeta is a beautiful mountain village with approximately 3,800 inhabitants in the province of Málaga in Andalusia. It lies directly on one of the former main roads of the Sierra de Granada and can be reached by car from the town of Torrox via a tranquil mountain road. The town is fascinating due to its sheltered location in the mountains, its many winding streets, and its charming white houses. The Arabs lived in what is now Cómpeta for many centuries and shaped the townscape. It was not until 1487 that the Catholic Monarchs took over the town and its region, which was accompanied by a ban on the Arabic language. Source: www.andalusien360.de

The Torre Vigía Manganeta is a historic watchtower on the coast of Almayate Bajo, near the mouth of the Vélez River. It was built in the 16th century during the reign of Philip II as part of the Spanish coastal defense system to protect the region from pirate attacks. Raids by North African corsairs, in particular, made such watchtowers necessary. The cylindrical tower reaches a height of approximately 8 to 10 meters and has a diameter of around 4 meters. It is made of stone and mortar, a typical construction method for coastal watchtowers of that period. Its location near the beach, south of Almayate Bajo and not far from the Vélez River, allowed control of the stretch of coast between Torre del Mar and Benajarafe. Today, the Torre Manganeta is protected as a historical monument and is part of the cultural heritage of Andalusia.

The tower is located on the right bank of the Vélez River estuary and dates back to the 16th century. Due to sedimentary deposits over the centuries, the shoreline is now 800 m high and partially submerged by 8 m. It is built of masonry and brick.

The municipality of Benamocarra belongs to the Axarquía region, which offers picturesque landscapes, whitewashed villages and agricultural traditions. The town dates back to the Moorish period of Al-Andalus, falling to the Catholic Monarchs in 1487. Therefore, the village has a rich history with Moorish and Andalusian influences and retains its traditional charm with narrow streets and historic architecture. Benamocarra is a worthwhile destination for a cycling tour, with sights such as the Iglesia de Santa Ana and the Plaza del Calvario. Nearby, detours to Vélez-Málaga with its historic old town and the Castillo are worthwhile.

beautiful coastal riding

On the steep coast you can find this rock, on which a white miniature chapel stands. A few niches have been carved into the rock, in which, among other things, a picture of the Virgin del Carmen (patron saint of fishermen and sailors) is kept. People put flowers there, light candles and place small, inscribed stones on the rock. With the sea in the background and the view of the coast, it is a real eye-catcher. A point of attraction, it was very well attended.